If you look at the 3 console manufacturers, you’ll notice a pattern. Switch OLED was announced 3 months before release. Ps4 pro was announced 2 months before its release. Xbox one x was announced 5 months before release.

The steam deck OLED? 7 days

The reason that manufacturers give consumers at least a couple months before a release of a new device is so they can feel they made an informed decision on their purchase, and not feel burned when the next iteration is released. No, the device they currently have doesn’t lose inherent value to them. However, knowing that the next thing is coming out in just a couple weeks could make informed consumers hold off for the sale of the now outdated model.

Also inb4 people say “but it’s not a console…”, PC manufacturers have pretty consistent hardware release schedules as well, so the comparison stands.

The fact is this is an established norm for other manufacturers and that valve went against just comes across as anti consumer. And I think that just surprised a lot of people since Gabe’s whole “piracy is almost always a service problem…” Take and the return policy on games make the company appear as super consumer centric, however this release feels out of character.

  • Texas1010B
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    1 year ago

    It wouldn’t matter when you announced it, you would always have people that just bought the console who felt burned. Whether they gave people a week or a month or two months, it’s all relatively the same.

  • Asura_DragonB
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    1 year ago

    I am upset i bought mine a month ago for 650 now theres a better version an the one i just got is 200$ cheaper i would have waited the month if i knew an they wont give me a partial refund for the pruce change cuses its past 14 days i feel scamed out of 200$

  • kanink007B
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    1 year ago

    I agree with you.

    The thing is, when Original Steamdeck (from here on OG-SD in short) was released, the hardware was already kind of outdated, since in the last years alot happened hardware-wise. So, the price was kind of overpriced, at least for the 256GB and 512GB models. But Valve tried to stretch the sales for that price for as long as possible.

    Then, they started to influence the used-market, by re-selling refurbished Decks for quiet a bit cheaper, but still with full warranty, and most importantly, originally refurbished by Valve themselves.

    Then, they didn’t announce the new OLED Deck. They ‘surprised’ everyone. They milked the full price of the OG-SD as long as possible again, since after 14 days, no refund is possible anymore.

    Finally admitting, that Valve was behind hardware-prices since longer, they released a proper Deck with 1 TB SSD, more RAM Speed, Oled Display, better APU technology and a better battery. For the same price as the OG-SD.

    The mistake was, releasing nearly the same hardware power, but with better feature upgrades, for the very same price as the OG-SD. So, Valve had to reduce the OG-SD prices by alot. Oh and remember, they also involved themselves i the used-marked. So, they reduced the refurbished OG-SD prices by alot, too,

    Now, another big problem: All of this happened within barely over 1 year. Your OG-SD is still ok power-wise, but the resell-value is now down as hell.

    What impression does this leave on me: Valv doesn’t care about the customers, and the resell-value of used OG-SD. They wanted to milk as much money from the OG-SD as possible, before announcing the Oled Deck. Their only plan is to overrun the market with their lable and product, by trampling over the OG-SD price-value.

  • S4MUR4IXB
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    1 year ago

    Just imagine all the people from unsupported countries that bought their 64gb Deck’s for 500 euros. Not only they had to pay premium to begin with, but if prices of old models plummet in those said countries they’ll lose even more money.

    This release was definitely lowkey and anti consumer, but people who bought their Deck’s this week they can return it, the rest can sell theirs and order one normally unlike the people from unsupported countries.

    I really wish Valve could extend list of supported countries, Deck clearly sells, and this big of a refresh is a proof.

    • kotta888B
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      1 year ago

      I live in an unsupported country however it is relatively easy and cheap to import the steam deck here, that’s not to say there are several things that make it complicated for anyone to just order it and because of that the price is higher here and that’s not going to change regardless of a new announcement. People that want a steam deck in unsupported countries will either find a way to import it or pay the higher prices.

  • borderlinejonB
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    1 year ago

    I’m just fine with it. I’ve made many a happy memory with my deck and the LCD is just fine for me. I will upgrade when the steam deck gets it’s first horsepower update, and I already have a great library of games to take with me.

  • Friskymama
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    1 year ago

    They said they weren’t gonna release a new console any time soon, had a massive sale, then released a new console right after the return policy ended snd lowered the old console pride to the sale price anyways. Huge anti consumer dick move from Valve anyone who says otherwise is a consoomer valvedrone dickrider

  • slingwebberB
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    1 year ago

    Look man I’m a Q2, the only things I’m mad about are the steel plate cooling thingies the newer Decks got, and my whiny ass fan. Both of these things are fixable to the more competent consumer though.

    So who’s mad enough to make it matter? Love my Deck.

  • worldsinhoB
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    1 year ago

    It plays the same games.

    I have and OLED switch and bought the Lite for travel and tbf used it more than OLED.

    You guys are overhyping this upgrade.

    It’s still the Steam Deck 1.

  • Electrified_ShadowB
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    1 year ago

    Just to play the advocate here…

    If they announced today, that in five months they were releasing the SD2 at a price comparable to the current decks and subsequently immediately reduced the price of the current generation, would those who bought a SD last week not be crying just the same?

    No matter how much notice is given, somebody will feel snubbed. The trick is to realize that it’s not personal and appreciate the growth of something we all value enough to drop hundreds of dollars into.

  • TheAngryGooner
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    1 year ago

    Is anyone else getting no reply from Steams help in regards to a refund? Been waiting 13 hours for a response now.

  • domso1oB
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    1 year ago

    Only thing I’m upset about is that OLED screen. Nonetheless, I’m happy with the OG Deck as it is. I already upgrade the internal memory to a 2TB.

    When I switched from the OG Switch to an OLED Switch, I could not go back. I assume this would be the same situation with the SD.

  • The_Legend_of_XenoB
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    1 year ago

    I waited over a year for my OG Deck to arrive, and I’m not upset about it at all. Valve doesn’t owe any of us anything. They sell a device, you can purchase it if you choose to. Personally, I can’t wait to get an OLED. I barely even feel like playing anything on my current Deck now that I know the OLED is coming.

    The only thing that would be cool is if they gave early adopters first crack at the limited edition, but again, they don’t owe us anything.

  • orcvader
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    1 year ago

    Doesn’t Valve have a generous return policy? Can’t someone return theirs and re-order if they are that upset about it?

  • AdityanpradhanB
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    1 year ago

    tbh I am pissed I thought My deck will be latest for at-least 2 more years

  • OnetimehelperB
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    1 year ago

    Exactly. Yes it’s awesome for most of us, including myself. But it’s such a scummy move on Valves part.

    Imagine the people who’s return window within the past couple of days, when that whole time YouTubers were playing around with the new Deck.

    At the very least, should have announced/teased something as soon as the influencers were told.

    Valve doesn’t even do extended holiday returns either. That’s one option they can do, and it would be reasonable, but nah.